England Football Will Wear Their Poppies With Pride

11th November Armitage Day; a day celebrated every year to commemorate the signing of armistice between the Allies and Germany. This was to happen at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In Britain, this day is remembered by a two-minute silence at 11am to remember the heroic sacrifices of those killed in World War One and Two as well as every serviceman who has been killed or injured in battle since 1945.

So what is the importance of the poppy? Out of the battle-scarred fields the only object to bloom was the poppy and thus it has been regarded as the flower which flourishes when everything else is destroyed. The poppy became the symbol of the Royal British Legion in 1921 and has since raised millions every year for war veterans.

Remembrance Sunday always falls on the second Sunday in November, and this year is 2 days after Armitage Day. On this day England will take on Scotland in a World Cup qualifier.

FIFA regulations state that nations cannot wear anything which could potentially be viewed as political or religious, which for them includes the poppy. Although FIFA will remain adamant, despite both England and Scotland asking for an exception, the FA have confirmed that England WILL be wearing poppies in this match.

In a statement, the FA made it explicit the governing body intends to pay “an appropriate tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Nevertheless, FIFA have hit back against the FA questioning why Britain should feel it is acceptable to break the rules, and have warned that the act may result in the deduction of points. A small deduction is unlikely to have impact on England’s 2018 World Cup campaign, but Scotland cannot afford to lose points when currently sitting in fourth place behind both Lithuania and Slovenia.

So what is your view? Should England wear their poppies and commemorate their war veterans or obey FIFA’s regulations?